Monthly dole for HIV patients
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 30
Goa has become the first state in the country to provide monthly financial assistance to HIV+ persons.
With its high emphasis on the the social sector, the State government had mooted the idea to include HIV positive persons under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS).
Four persons afflicted with the dreaded virus (HIV) have been enrolled with the Department of Social Welfare and they will get the monthly financial assistance of Rs 1000. This has been confirmed by Deputy Director of Social Welfare Santan Fernandes.
The four names of HIV + persons were given by the Goa State AIDS Control Society. The recommendation was made after a scrutiny conducted by the society. GSASC is the nodal agency to recommend names for financial assistance to the Social Welfare Department.
Sources in the department said it is maintaining utmost secrecy about the HIV+ persons enlisted for the DSS scheme.
With the scheme still in high demand, the number of beneficiaries is around 1.10 lakh. Since the time, the scheme was floated by the Manohar Parrikar-led government, many irregularities have been observed but no action had been taken by the government.
Following criticism and observations made by CAG (comptroller and auditor general) two years ago, the state government last year went for a survey of the beneficiaries to verify the number of bogus beneficiaries. The report is awaited.
Amendment: The state government has amended the rules governing DSS scheme to provide solace to persons with high disabilities.
As per a notification issued, “Persons with disabilities having disability to the extent of 90% and above shall be entitled for financial assistance at the rate of Rs 3000 per month.”
